SNP CLLR FEARS 'ANOTHER MONKLANDS WHITEWASH'

As the government's statutory inquiry into senior appointments to North Lanarkshire UA opens today in public, a Sco...

As the government's statutory inquiry into senior appointments to North Lanarkshire UA opens today in public, a Scottish National party councillor who has led the criticism says he fears 'another Monklands where everything is whiter than white'.

Cllr Gordon Murray told The Herald (p6): 'I am very surprised at the form the inquiry appears to be taking - and the speed with which it has proceeded.

'Until I am interviewed next week, I don't know what line the inquiry is going to take, but at the moment I am very apprehensive.'

But Harry McGuigan, Labour group leader on North Lanarkshire says: 'It is right that this investigation should happen quickly so that we can get on with the job that we were elected to do. As far as we are concerned we have acted in the proper and correct say and we can do no more than that.'

The inquiry, headed by employment lawyer Ian McLeod, has been taking evidence in private for the last month, reports The Herald.

It was set up following complaints to the Staff Commission and Unison that five former Motherwell district officials had won jobs to the North Lanarkshire UA.

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